Chelsea’s women’s team continued their scintillating start to the new era under manager Sonia Bompastor, registering a comfortable 3-1 win over Dutch side FC Twente in their second Champions League group stage match. The Blues’ triumph in Enschede was powered by goals from rising stars Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano, underlining the depth and exuberance of the English champions’ squad.
Eight Changes, Similar Swagger
Despite making a whopping eight changes from the starting lineup that edged past Arsenal in the WSL over the weekend, Chelsea looked every bit as fluid and dominant as they have all season. Bompastor’s ability to rotate her squad and still maintain the team’s competitive edge is a legacy of the Emma Hayes era that looks set to endure.
This Chelsea squad is a different beast. The fluidity between players remains even with eight changes. It’s a testament to the work done to integrate young talents.
—A source close to the Chelsea camp
Dynamic Duo Lead the Charge
At the heart of Chelsea’s attacking thrust were the effervescent Beever-Jones and Hamano. The 21-year-old Beever-Jones gave the Blues an early lead, her rising strike taking a slight deflection on its way past Twente keeper Olivia Clark. The goal, scored in front of England manager Sarina Wiegman, was just reward for a bright start.
Not to be outdone, Japan international Hamano doubled Chelsea’s advantage with an exquisite lob after spotting Clark off her line. The technique and composure belied her tender years, offering further proof of Chelsea’s success in nurturing precocious talents.
Defensive Frailties Persist
For all their attacking verve, there remain question marks over Chelsea’s defensive solidity under Bompastor. As in the 3-2 win over Real Madrid last week, the Blues looked vulnerable at times, allowing Twente a foothold in a game they had largely dominated.
Twente’s Nikée van Dijk took advantage of one such lapse to race through and slot past Chelsea keeper Zecira Musovic, sending the home fans into raptures and setting up a nervy finale. While the Blues held on comfortably in the end, sterner tests await in the knockout stages.
We are the underdogs, it’s as simple as that, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a chance.
—Twente manager Joran Pot prior to kickoff
Ominous Signs for Rivals
With six points from six and a +4 goal difference, Chelsea sit atop Group B, three points clear of Real Madrid and Twente. While tougher challenges undoubtedly lie in wait, the swagger and adaptability the Blues have shown under their new manager suggest they will take some stopping.
As Bompastor continues to blood youngsters and embed her philosophy, the future looks extraordinarily bright for Chelsea. If they can clean up defensively while maintaining their offensive potency, a second Champions League crown may well be within reach.
- Chelsea’s next Champions League match is at home to Celtic on November 5th
- The Blues have now won 8 straight matches in all competitions
- Aggie Beever-Jones has scored in both of Chelsea’s Champions League games
